First published 2021
Victor Davis Hanson examines the deterioration of American citizenship over recent decades. The New York Times bestselling historian argues that forces spanning fifty years have weakened this once rare and precious concept. Middle class destruction has created federal dependency among many Americans. Uncontrolled immigration has damaged loyalty to specific places. Group identity politics have destroyed shared civic identity. An oversized bureaucratic apparatus threatens individual freedom while efforts target constitutional foundations. Hanson traces historical patterns that produced this breakdown, comparing current upheaval to transformative periods in 1848, 1917, and 1968. The year 2020 shattered assumptions about America's trajectory. Yet Hanson believes Americans can restore what has been damaged. The nation faces a clear decision about its future direction.
Genres: history, political-science, non-fiction, 21st-century, current-affairs, american-history
Vibes: intimate, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: historical-analysis, social-commentary
Setting: America, United States
Period: 2020, Recent Decades
432 pages · Hardcover · Basic Books